Competitions since 1981

Xavier Darasse created the competition in 1981.

Xavier Darasse is a world-renowned organist who devoted his whole life to the organ. Known for his work’s excellence, he became director of the Paris national Conservatory of Music. In 1976 he started composing and also worked to breathe new life into the organistic world of Toulouse. At the same time, Pierre Baudis who was the mayor of Toulouse, undertook the restoration of a great number of instruments as well as the building of the Augustins museum organ.

The competition take place every 2 or 3 years with specific themes until 1998.

1981 : Johan-Sebastian Bach

1983 : Baroque French music and symphonic French music

1986 : Contemporary music

1989 : César Franck

1991 : Dietrich Buxtehude

1996 : Symphonic French music

1998 : Iberian music

Since the 2002 edition, a new concept has been launched: Candidates have to perform an entire one-hour concert on the organ of their choice, as part of the international Toulouse les Orgues Festival.